Enhanced location based services

ABSTRACT

Location information (e.g., GPS information) pertaining to the location of a device may be integrated into a distributed antenna system (DAS) to enhance location based services. This may be accomplished via a system that filters and combines GPS information with DAS information. Utilization of the enhanced location based services system may enhance accuracy performance of indoor location services and improve round-trip time (RTT) location responses associated with network assisted GPS (e.g., A-GPS) location requests for services from indoor calls.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The instant application is a continuation of, and claims priority to,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/705,382, filed Dec. 5, 2012. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/705,382 is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field generally relates to wireless communications andmore specifically relates to indoor wireless location based services.

BACKGROUND

Communications devices such as cellular telephones, mobile communicationdevices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptops, and the like arebecoming more prevalent as technology advances make these devices morepowerful and more affordable. And with the advancements in locationdetermination technologies, location-based services developed forcommunications devices are becoming extremely popular. However, whenindoors, location based services may be inconsistent or nonexistent.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary that describes some aspectsor embodiments of the subject disclosure. This summary is not anextensive overview of the disclosure. Indeed, additional or alternativeembodiments of the subject disclosure may be available beyond thosedescribed in the summary.

In an example embodiment, global positioning system (GPS) signals may beintegrated into radio frequency distributed antenna system (DAS)equipment. This may be accomplished via a real-time GPS combine andamplify system. Seamless GPS satellite signal visibility (accessibility)to any indoor GPS device may be accomplished. In addition to the relayof GPS satellite information, the GPS amplification system also mayestimate altitude of a device with respect to ground level, tag antennaidentification information serving the device, provide spatial (e.g.,x,y,z) coordinates adjustments for navigating indoors applications, andthe like. Accuracy performance of indoor location services may beenhanced by utilizing real-time global positioning system (GPS)amplification. Round-trip time (RTT) location responses associated withnetwork assisted GPS (A-GPS) location requests for services from indoorscall may be improved (shorter round-trip time).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is made here to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example global positioning system (GPS)combination and distribution system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example diplexer 26.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example GPS combination and distribution system 50utilizing a local area network (LAN) distribution infrastructure 46.

FIG. 4 is an example flow diagram of enhanced location based services.At step 54 an indication of a call may be received.

FIG. 5 is another example flow diagram of enhanced location basedservices. A location signal may be provided at step 70.

FIG. 6 is another example flow diagram of enhanced location basedservices.

FIG. 7 is another example flow diagram of enhanced location basedservices.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example communications device 120configured to facilitate enhanced location based services.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example system 130 for facilitatingenhanced location based services.

FIG. 10 depicts an overall block diagram of an example packet-basedmobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, withinwhich enhanced location based services may be implemented.

FIG. 11 illustrates an architecture of a typical GPRS network withinwhich text message generation for emergency services can be implemented.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example block diagram view of a GSM/GPRS/IPmultimedia network architecture within which text message generation foremergency services may be implemented.

FIG. 13 illustrates a PLMN block diagram view of an example architecturein which text message generation for emergency services may beincorporated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Aspects of the instant disclosure are described more fully herein withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments areshown. In the following description, for purposes of explanation,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide anunderstanding of the various embodiments. However, the instantdisclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout.

Location-based services have been developed for mobile devices based onthe premise that service providers are able to identify the location ofmobile devices attached to their networks and provide additionalservices based on that location. This may be especially apropos forprovision of emergency services. For example, first responders, firefighters, police, medical personnel, or the like, may benefit fromknowing the location of an individual that is in need of assistance. GPSdevices being used at indoor locations however may not have direct lineof sight to GPS satellites and/or may not be able to decode weak GPSsatellites signals.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example global positioning system (GPS)combination and distribution system. As an overview, as depicted in FIG.1, signals from GPS satellites may be received by a GPS antenna 22. Thesignals received from the GPS antenna 22 may be provided to a GPScombine and distribute system 12. In an example embodiment, the indoorenvironment depicted in FIG. 1 may have an existing radio frequency (RF)distributed antenna system (DAS) 14. The GPS combine and distributesystem 12 may receive and/or provides signals from/to the DAS 14. TheGPS combine and distribute system 12 may communicate with a mobiledevice 16 via communication infrastructure 20 and DAS transceivers 18.

In more detail, the GPS combine and distribute system 12 may be insertedinto existing or new DAS 14 equipment located in a building or in anoutdoor environment, and configured to receive call requests from users(of devices 16), as depicted in FIG. 1. It is to be understood that theGPS combine and distribute system 12 is not limited to indoor use. TheGPS combine and distribute system 12 may be utilized outdoors. Use ofthe GPS combine and distribute system 12 in an outdoor environment maybe beneficial when obstructions prevent access to GPS satellite signals.In an example embodiment, GPS amplification operating frequencies maycomprise the L1 band (1575.42 MHz), the L2 band (1227.60 MHz), or thelike, or any appropriate combination thereof. Thus, the GPS combine anddistribute system 12 may provide signals via the communicationinfrastructure 20 at the L1 band, the L2 band, or the like, or anyappropriate combination thereof.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example diplexer 26. Integration of signals atthe L1/L2 frequencies bands from the GPS combine and distribute system12 into the communication infrastructure 20 may be achieved in anyappropriate manner. For example, integration of signals at the L1/L2frequencies bands from the GPS combine and distribute system 12 into thecommunication infrastructure 20 may be accomplished via frequency domainmultiplexing. In an example embodiment, frequency domain multiplexingmay be accomplished via a frequency diplexer 26, wherein signals at theL1 band and/or L2 band may be provided in a first port 28 of thediplexer 26, signals at frequencies (e.g., 850 MHz, 1900 MHz, etc.) ofthe DAS system 14 may be provided in a second port 30 of the diplexer26, the signals from the two ports may be combined by combiner 36, eachoccupying its respective frequency band. The combined signal 40 may beprovided out via a third port 38 of the diplexer 26. In an exampleconfiguration, the diplexer 26 may comprise a filter 32 and a filer 34for filtering the signals received from ports 28 and 30 respectivelybefore combination by combiner 36. Filters 32 and 34 may, for example,filter out any unwanted noise from the signals from ports 28 and 30respectively. The combiner 36 may comprise any appropriate circuitrycapable of combining signal provided by filters 32 and 34. A devicereceiving the combined signal 40 may apply a filter, or filters, to thecombined signal 40 to obtain signals at the L1, L2, and/or DAS band. Inan example embodiment, each transceiver 18 may filter the combinedsignal as needed.

Transceivers 18 may comprise any appropriate transceiver capable ofreceiving and providing information. Note each transceiver in FIG. 1 islabeled with as “18” for the sake of simplicity. And it is to beunderstood that the number of transceivers 18 may comprise anyappropriate number of transceivers (e.g., 1, 2, 5, 100, etc.). In anexample embodiment, each transceiver 18 may comprise a transmittercapable of transmitting signals at any appropriate frequency. Forexample, each transceiver 18 may comprise a transmitter capable oftransmitting signals in the L1 frequency band, transmitting signals inthe L2 frequency band, transmitting signals at the DAS frequency bands(e.g., 850 MHz, 1900 MHz, etc.), and transmitting signals at anyappropriate frequency to communicate with the mobile device 16. In anexample embodiment, each transceiver 18 may comprise a receiver capableof receiving signals at any appropriate frequency. For example, eachtransceiver 18 may comprise a receiver capable of receiving signals inthe L1 frequency band, receiving signals in the L2 frequency band,receiving signals at the DAS frequency bands (e.g., 850 MHz, 1900 MHz,etc.), and receiving signals at any appropriate frequency as provided bythe mobile device 16. In an example embodiment, each transceiver 18 maycomprise a filter capable of filter a signal into any appropriatefrequency band. For example, each transceiver 18 may comprise a filtercapable of filtering signals in the L1 frequency band, filtering signalsin the L2 frequency band, filtering signals in the DAS frequency bands(e.g., 850 MHz, 1900 MHz, etc.), and filtering signals at anyappropriate frequency as provided by the mobile device 16.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the GPS combine and distribute system 12 alsomay amplify signals. Thus, the GPS combine and distribute system 12 mayreceive GPS satellite information (signals) from the GPS antenna 22,which may reside outside of a building. The diplexer of the GPS combineand distribute system 12 may insert the received satellite informationinto the DAS system and may amplify and relay the DAS information andthe GPS information to the mobile device 16 via communicationinfrastructure 20 and DAS transceivers 18.

In an example scenario, when a call is initiated via the mobile device16, the mobile device 16 may receive assisted GPS data from a wirelessoperator assisted location server containing GPS satellite information.The mobile device 16 may use this information to get a position fix bytuning to the expected GPS satellites in range. This may provideseamless satellite signal visibility (accessibility) to any mobiledevice 16, or the like. In an example embodiment, in accordance withassisted GPS, a mobile device may contain navigation software (map,speed) use to measure satellite pseudo ranges and horizontal dilution ofposition to estimate a position fix. A location server (e.g., XADS) maysend to the mobile device initial reference position, time reference,satellites ephemeris data and ionospheric model data. The mobile devicemay use this information to compute expected signal delay and Dopplervalues for each satellite. Next the mobile device receiver may computeits own position and velocity. Once the receiver has acquired thesatellites signal and made pseudo ranges and Doppler measurements, itmay use the initial location reference, time reference, and ephemeris tocompute its own position and velocity. The amount of RTT computationsmay be reduce when the mobile device increases the number of calculatedposition fix as result of utilizing the GPS signals measurements.

In an example embodiment, a location of the mobile device 16 may bedetermined automatically when it is determined that a call beinginitiated by the mobile device is an emergency call. An emergency callmay comprise a 9-1-1 call (e.g., called number is 9-1-1), a call to apredetermined number, a call to a number that is determined to berelated to an emergency call, or the like, or any appropriatecombination thereof. Predetermined numbers may comprise, for example, alist of predetermined phone numbers such as a phone number of a firedepartment, a phone number of an ambulance, a phone number of a policestation, a phone number of a hospital, a phone number of a relative(e.g., parent, child, etc.), or the like. In an example embodiment, whenthe call is initiated, the list of predetermined numbers may be comparedto the number being called, and if a match exists, it may be determinedthat the call is an emergency call. In an example embodiment, when thecall is initiated, the number being called may be used to query adatabase, a search engine, memory, or the like to determine if thenumber is associated with an emergency call. For example, the number maybe used to search a directory to determine to whom the number isassigned. If the number is assigned to a hospital, a police station, anambulance service, etc., the call may be determined to be an emergencycall.

Accordingly, when a call is initiated via the mobile device 16, themobile device may analyze the initiated call (e.g., number dialed, speeddial number, name from contact list, audio input, etc.) to determine ifthe call is an emergency call. If the mobile device 16 determines thatthe call is an emergency call, the mobile device 16 may execute anapplication to receive assisted GPS data from a wireless operatorassisted location server containing GPS satellite information. Themobile device 16 may use this information to get a position fix bytuning to the expected GPS satellites in range. The position fix (thelocation of the mobile device 16) may be incorporated into acommunication with an intended recipient of the emergency call.

In an example embodiment, topographic information may be stored. Thetopographic information may be stored in any appropriate location or anyappropriate manner. For example, topographic information may be storedin any appropriate memory, database, computer-readable storage medium,or the like, of the DAS 14. It is to be understood, that acomputer-readable storage medium as described herein in not to beconstrued as a propagation signal per se. It is to be understood, that acomputer-readable storage medium as described herein in not to beconstrued as a transient signal per se. The topographic information maycomprise any appropriate topographic information, such as, topographicinformation pertaining to an environment proximate to the source of acall, details pertaining to the location and height of the GPS antenna22, topographic information of the indoor environment in which the DAS14 is located, topographic information of an outdoor environment inwhich a DAS may be located, construction drawings of the indoorenvironment in which the DAS 14 is located, a blueprint of the indoorenvironment in which the DAS 14 is located, or the like, or anycombination thereof.

Because the GPS antenna 22 may have direct access to the GPS satellites,the location of the GPS antenna 22 may be accurate. Thus, the accuratelocation of the GPS antenna 22 may be correlated with the topographicinformation to provide an accurate location of the mobile device 16.When the mobile device is provided location information via the GPScombine and distribute system 12, appropriate topographical informationalso may be provided to the mobile device 16, so that the mobile device16 may generate a map or the like indicating the location of the mobiledevice 16 with respect to the topographical information. The location ofthe mobile device 16 with respect to the topographical information maybe rendered on the mobile device 16. The location of the mobile device16 with respect to the topographical information may be rendered in anyappropriate manner, such as, for example, visually, audibly,mechanically (vibration), or any appropriate combination thereof. Thus,for example, the location of the mobile device 16 may be visuallyrendered on a display of the mobile device 16 as an overlay on a map orthe like showing what floor, what corridor, what room, etc. the mobiledevice 16 is located. And, the location of the mobile device 16 may movealong the map overlay as the mobile device 16 moves. In an exampleembodiment, in addition to providing GPS satellite information, the GPScombine and distribute system 12 may estimate the altitude of the mobiledevice 16 with respect to ground level, tag antenna identificationinformation serving the mobile device 16, provide spatial coordinates(e.g., x, y, z coordinates) adjustments for indoors navigationapplications, or the like.

In an example embodiment, a transceiver location signal or the like maybe utilized to augment location determination of the mobile device 16.For example, a location signal may be transmitted to the mobile device16 from each of the transceivers 18. The mobile device 16 may respond tothe location signal. The response from the mobile device 16 may be inthe form of a broadcast. Each transceiver receiving the response mayidentify the time at which the response was received. This time at whicheach response was received along with the location of each transceiver18 may be used to determine the location of the mobile device 16 withrespect to the transceivers 18. The location of the mobile device 16 maybe determined in any appropriate manner, such as, for example, timedifference of arrival calculations, hyperbolic calculations, or thelike. For example as a mobile device moves it may measure transmitter RFreference signals with timing advance characteristics to relocate itsposition. Transmitter measurements may be used to generate hyperbolasthat may be superimposed to their common concentration area that mayrepresent an estimated mobile device's location. Location signals maycontain the mobile device latitude and longitude.

In another example embodiment, the mobile device 16 may augment locationdetermination of the mobile device 16. For example, the mobile device 16may transmit a location signal. Each transceiver receiving the locationsignal may respond to the location signal. Each transceiver respondingto the location signal may provide an identifier indicating the itslocation, a self-identifier, or the like, and/or any other appropriateinformation. The mobile device 16 may identify the time at which eachresponse was received. The time at which each response was receivedalong with the location of each transceiver 18 may be used to determinethe location of the mobile device 16 with respect to the transceivers18. The location of the mobile device 16 may be determined in anyappropriate manner, such as, for example, time difference of arrivalcalculations, hyperbolic calculations, or the like.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example GPS combination and distribution system 50utilizing a local area network (LAN) distribution infrastructure 46. Asdepicted in FIG. 3, a GPS device 44, which may comprise the mobiledevice 16, may be coupled to the LAN distribution infrastructure 46 viaa cable, wirelessly via an access point 48, or any appropriatecombination thereof. The GPS combine and distribute system 50 mayoperate similarly to the GPS combine and distribute system 12, howeverformatting of information provided to the LAN distributioninfrastructure may differ from formatting of information provided to thecommunications infrastructure 20. In an example embodiment, the GPScombine and distribute system 50 may format information into IP packetsfor transmission over the LAN distribution infrastructure 46.

In various example scenarios, the location information received from theGPS satellites may be intended to be sent to the source of a call (e.g.,mobile device 16, GPS device 44, etc.). And the information fordistribution via the DAS (e.g., information provided to port 30 of FIG.2), other than the location information, may or may not be intended forthe source of the call. Thus, when the GPS combine and distribute system12 provides combined information for distribution via the distrustedantenna system (e.g., communication infrastructure 20, transceivers 18),the intended recipient of the location information may be the source ofthe call and the information for distribution via the DAS may not beintended for the source of the call. On the other hand, when the GPScombine and distribute system 12 provides combined information fordistribution via the distrusted antenna system (e.g., communicationinfrastructure 20, transceivers 18), the intended recipient of thelocation information may be the source of the call and the informationfor distribution via the DAS also may be intended for the source of thecall. Similarly, when the GPS combine and distribute system 50 providescombined information for distribution via the LAN distributioninfrastructure (e.g., LAN distribution infrastructure 46, access points48, connections to the LAN distribution infrastructure 46, etc.), theintended recipient of the location information may be the source of thecall and the information for distribution via the LAN distributioninfrastructure may not be intended for the source of the call. And, whenthe GPS combine and distribute system 50 provides combined informationfor distribution via the LAN distribution infrastructure, the intendedrecipient of the location information may be the source of the call andthe information for distribution via the LAN distribution infrastructurealso may be intended for the source of the call.

FIG. 4 is an example flow diagram of enhanced location based services.At step 54 an indication of a call may be received. The indication ofthe call may be received by the GPS combine and distribute system 12and/or the GPS combine and distribute system 50 as described herein. Themay have been originated by the mobile device 16 and/or the GPS device44 as described herein. GPS information may be obtained at step 56. Theobtained GPS information may comprise any appropriate GPS information asdescribed herein, such as, for example, GPS signals from GPS satellites,assisted GPS information, or the like, or any appropriate combinationthereof. Optionally, the GPS information may be filtered at step 58 asdescribed herein. DAS information may be received at step 60. In anexample embodiment, DAS information may comprise a transmitter antenna'sfloor number, etc. Topographical information, if any, as describedherein, may be obtained at step 62. The GPS information, the DASinformation, and the topographical information, may be combined at step64 as described herein. The combined information may be provided at step66. The combination information may be provided to the mobile device 16and/or the GPS device 44 as described herein. The combined informationmay be formatted in any appropriate manner as described herein. Thecombined information may be distributed via a DAS distributioninfrastructure and/or a LAN distribution infrastructure as describedherein.

FIG. 5 is another example flow diagram of enhanced location basedservices. A location signal may be provided at step 70. The locationsignal may be generated by the GPS combine and distribute system 12and/or by the GPS combine and distribute system 50. The location signalmay be provided by each transceiver of a plurality of transceivers. Inan example embodiment, as described herein, the location signal may beprovided by each transceiver 18. A response to the provided locationsignal may be generated at step 72. In an example embodiment, asdescribed herein, the response may be generated by the GPS combine anddistribute system 12 and/or by the GPS combine and distribute system 50.In an example embodiment, as described herein, the response may beprovided by the GPS combine and distribute system 12 and/or by the GPScombine and distribute system 50. The response may be received at step76. The response may be received by transceivers of a plurality oftransceivers. In an example embodiment, as described herein, theresponse may be received by each transceiver 18. Each transceiverreceiving the response may indicate a time at which a respectiveresponse was received at step 78. Optionally, an indication of thetransceiver receiving the response also may be indicated. Optionally, anindication of the location of a transceiver receiving the response alsomay be indicated. At step 80, the location of the device may bedetermined based on the time of receipt of each response and thelocation of each transceiver receiving a response. The location may bedetermined in any appropriate manner, such as, for example, via timedifference of arrival calculations, hyperbolic calculations, or thelike. At step 82, the location of the device and/or the location of aGPS receiver may be augmented, as described herein, with the locationdetermined at step 80 to determine an accurate location of the device.

FIG. 6 is another example flow diagram of enhanced location basedservices. An indication of a call may be received at step 84. Theindication of the call may be received by any appropriate device. In anexample embodiment, the indication of the call is received by the mobiledevice 16 and/or the GPS device 44 as described herein. The indicationof the call may be any appropriate indication, such as, for example,dialed digits, a selection from a list of numbers, a selection from alist of contacts, a speed dial entry, a spoken entry, a mechanicalentry, or the like, or any appropriate combination thereof. It may bedetermined, at step 86, that the call is an emergency call. An emergencycall may comprise a 9-1-1 call (e.g., called number is 9-1-1), a call toa predetermined number, a call to a number that is determined to berelated to an emergency call, or the like, or any appropriatecombination thereof. Predetermined numbers may comprise, for example, alist of predetermined phone numbers such as a phone number of a firedepartment, a phone number of an ambulance, a phone number of a policestation, a phone number of a hospital, a phone number of a relative(e.g., parent, child, etc.), or the like. In an example embodiment, whenthe call is initiated, the list of predetermined numbers may be comparedto the number being called, and if a match exists, it may be determinedthat the call is an emergency call. In an example embodiment, when thecall is initiated, the number being called may be used to query adatabase, a search engine, memory, or the like to determine if thenumber is associated with an emergency call. For example, the number maybe used to search a directory to determine to whom the number isassigned. If the number is assigned to a hospital, a police station, anambulance service, etc., the call may be determined to be an emergencycall.

The call may be initiated at step 88. The call may be initiated in anyappropriate manner. For example, a user of a mobile device may select orspeak “send,” “call,” or the like. GPS information may be received atstep 90. In an example embodiment, a location of a device may bedetermined automatically when it is determined that a call beinginitiated by the mobile device is an emergency call. Thus, if this werethe case, upon a device determining that the call is an emergency call(at step 86), the device may automatically initiate the call (at step88) to receive location data. And the location data may be received atstep 90. In an example embodiment, the location data comprises GPS data.

Topographical information may be received by the device at step 92.Topographic information may comprise any appropriate topographicinformation, such as, details pertaining to the location and height of aGPS antenna, topographic information of an indoor environment in which aDAS is located, topographic information of an outdoor environment inwhich a DAS may be located, construction drawings of an indoorenvironment in which the DAS is located, a blueprint of the indoorenvironment in which the DAS 14 is located, or the like, or anycombination thereof. As described above, because a GPS antenna may havedirect access to GPS satellites, the location of the GPS antenna may beaccurate. Thus, the accurate location of the GPS antenna may becorrelated with topographic information to provide an accurate locationof the mobile device. Accordingly, location information (e.g., GPSinformation) pertaining to the surroundings of the source of the call(e.g., mobile device 16, GPS device 44) may be combined (e.g.,correlated) with topographical information at step 94. The combinedinformation may be rendered at step 96. In an example embodiment, thedevice may generate a map or the like indicating the location of thedevice with respect to the topographical information. The location ofthe device with respect to the topographical information may be renderedon the device. The location of the device with respect to thetopographical information may be rendered in any appropriate manner,such as, for example, visually, audibly, mechanically (vibration), orany appropriate combination thereof. Thus, for example, the location ofthe device may be visually rendered on a display of the device as anoverlay on a map or the like showing what floor, what corridor, whatroom, etc. the device is located. And, the location of the device maymove along the map overlay as the device 16 moves. In an exampleembodiment, as described herein, the device may comprise the mobiledevice 16 and/or the GPS device 44.

FIG. 7 is another example flow diagram of enhanced location basedservices. A location signal may be provided be each transceiver of aplurality of transceivers at step 100. In an example embodiment, thetransceivers may comprise transceivers 18 as described herein. Thelocation signal may be generated by the device. In an exampleembodiment, the device may comprise the mobile device 16 and/or the GPSdevice 44 as described herein. The location signal may be received by atleast one transceivers of a plurality of transceivers. In an exampleembodiment, the location signal may be received by at least onetransceiver 18. A response to the provided location signal may begenerated at step 102. The response may be generated by at least onetransceivers of a plurality of transceivers (e.g., transceivers 18).Responses to the provided location signal may be provided at step 104.Responses may be provided by at least one transceiver of a plurality oftransceivers (e.g., transceivers 18). The response may be received bythe device at step 106. In an example embodiment, the responses includea location of the transceiver that sent the response. The device mayindicate a time at which a respective response was received from eachtransceiver at step 108. At step 100, the location of the device may bedetermined based on the time of receipt of each response and thelocation of each transceiver providing a response. The location may bedetermined in any appropriate manner, such as, for example, via timedifference of arrival calculations, hyperbolic calculations, or thelike. At step 112, the location of the device and/or the location of aGPS receiver may be augmented, as described herein, with the locationdetermined at step 110 to determine an accurate location of the device.The augmented location may be rendered at step 114. The augmentedlocation may be rendered on any appropriated device in any appropriateformat. For example, the location of the device may be visually renderedon a display of the mobile device 16 and/or the GPS device 44 as anoverlay on a map or the like showing what floor, what corridor, whatroom, etc. the mobile device 16 and/or the GPS device is located. And,the location of the device may move along the map overlay as the devicemoves. The augmented location of the device may be rendered in anyappropriate manner, such as, for example, visually, audibly,mechanically (vibration), or any appropriate combination thereof.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example communications device 120configured to facilitate enhanced location based services. In an exampleembodiment, the communications device 120 may comprise the mobile device16 and/or the GPS device 44. In an example configuration, communicationsdevice 120 comprises a mobile wireless device. The communications device120, however, may comprise any appropriate device, examples of whichinclude a portable computing device, such as a laptop, a personaldigital assistant (“PDA”), a portable phone (e.g., a cell phone or thelike, a smart phone, a video phone), a portable email device, a portablegaming device, a TV, a DVD player, portable media player, (e.g., aportable music player, such as an MP3 player, a Walkman, etc.), aportable navigation device (e.g., GPS compatible device, A-GPScompatible device, etc.), or a combination thereof. The communicationsdevice 120 can include devices that are not typically thought of asportable, such as, for example, a public computing device, a navigationdevice installed in-vehicle, a set top box, or the like. The mobilecommunications device 120 can include non-conventional computingdevices, such as, for example, a kitchen appliance, a motor vehiclecontrol (e.g., steering wheel), etc., or the like. As evident from theherein description a communications device, a mobile device, or anyportion thereof is not to be construed as software per se.

The communications device 120 may include any appropriate device,mechanism, software, and/or hardware for facilitating enhanced locationbased services as described herein. In an example embodiment, theability to enhance location based services is a feature of thecommunications device 120 that can be turned on and off. Thus, in anexample embodiment, an owner of the communications device 120 may opt-inor opt-out of this capability.

In an example embodiment, the communications device 120 comprises aprocessor and memory coupled to the processor. The memory may compriseexecutable instructions that when executed by the processor cause theprocessor to effectuate operations associated with enhanced locationbased services.

In an example configuration, the communications device 120 comprises aprocessing portion 122, a memory portion 124, an input/output portion126, and a user interface (UI) portion 128. Each portion of thecommunications device 120 comprises circuitry for performing functionsassociated with each respective portion. Thus, each portion can comprisehardware, or a combination of hardware and software. Accordingly, eachportion of the communications device 120 is not to be construed assoftware per se. It is emphasized that the block diagram depiction ofcommunications device 120 is exemplary and not intended to imply aspecific implementation and/or configuration. For example, in an exampleconfiguration, the communications device 120 may comprise a cellularphone and the processing portion 122 and/or the memory portion 124 maybe implemented, in part or in total, on a subscriber identity module(SIM) of the mobile communications device 120. In another exampleconfiguration, the communications device 120 may comprise a laptopcomputer. The laptop computer can include a SIM, and various portions ofthe processing portion 122 and/or the memory portion 124 can beimplemented on the SIM, on the laptop other than the SIM, or anycombination thereof.

The processing portion 122, memory portion 124, and input/output portion126 are coupled together to allow communications therebetween. Invarious embodiments, the input/output portion 126 comprises a receiverof the communications device 120, a transmitter of the communicationsdevice 120, or a combination thereof. The input/output portion 126 iscapable of receiving and/or providing information pertaining to enhancedlocation based services as described herein. In various configurations,the input/output portion 126 may receive and/or provide information viaany appropriate means, such as, for example, optical means (e.g.,infrared), electromagnetic means (e.g., RF, WI-FI, BLUETOOTH, ZIGBEE,etc.), acoustic means (e.g., speaker, microphone, ultrasonic receiver,ultrasonic transmitter), or a combination thereof.

The processing portion 122 may be capable of performing functionspertaining to enhanced location based services as described herein. In abasic configuration, the communications device 120 may include at leastone memory portion 124. The memory portion 124 may comprise a storagemedium having a tangible physical structure. Thus, the memory portion124, as well as any computer-readable storage medium described herein,is not to be construed as a transient signal per se. Further, the memoryportion 124, as well as any computer-readable storage medium describedherein, is not to be construed as a propagating signal per se. Thememory portion 124 may store any information utilized in conjunctionwith enhanced location based services as described herein. Dependingupon the exact configuration and type of processor, the memory portion124 may be volatile (such as some types of RAM), non-volatile (such asROM, flash memory, etc.), or a combination thereof. The mobilecommunications device 120 may include additional storage (e.g.,removable storage and/or non-removable storage) including, but notlimited to, tape, flash memory, smart cards, CD-ROM, digital versatiledisks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, universalserial bus (USB) compatible memory, or any other medium which can beused to store information and which can be accessed by the mobilecommunications device 120.

The communications device 120 also may contain a user interface (UI)portion 128 allowing a user to communicate with the communicationsdevice 120. The UI portion 128 may be capable of rendering anyinformation utilized in conjunction with enhanced location basedservices as described herein. The UI portion 128 may provide the abilityto control the communications device 120, via, for example, buttons,soft keys, voice actuated controls, a touch screen, movement of themobile communications device 120, visual cues (e.g., moving a hand infront of a camera on the mobile communications device 120), or the like.The UI portion 128 may provide visual information (e.g., via a display),audio information (e.g., via speaker), mechanically (e.g., via avibrating mechanism), or a combination thereof. In variousconfigurations, the UI portion 128 may comprise a display, a touchscreen, a keyboard, an accelerometer, a motion detector, a speaker, amicrophone, a camera, a tilt sensor, or any combination thereof. The UIportion 128 may comprise means for inputting biometric information, suchas, for example, fingerprint information, retinal information, voiceinformation, and/or facial characteristic information.

The UI portion 128 may include a display for displaying multimedia suchas, for example, application graphical user interfaces (GUIs), text,images, video, telephony functions such as Caller ID data, setupfunctions, menus, music, metadata, messages, wallpaper, graphics,Internet content, device status, preferences settings, map and locationdata, routes and other directions, points of interest (POI), and thelike.

In some embodiments, the UI portion may comprise a user interface (UI)application. The UI application may interface with a client or operatingsystem (OS) to, for example, facilitate user interaction with devicefunctionality and data. The UI application may aid a user in enteringmessage content, viewing received messages, answering/initiating calls,entering/deleting data, entering and setting user IDs and passwords,configuring settings, manipulating content and/or settings, interactingwith other applications, or the like, and may aid the user in inputtingselections associated with enhanced location based services as describedherein.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example system 130 for facilitatingenhanced location based services. The system 130 may comprise hardwareor a combination of hardware and software. The functionality needed tofacilitate enhanced location based services may reside in any one orcombination of systems 130. The system 130 depicted in FIG. 9 mayrepresent any appropriate system, or combination of apparatuses, such asa processor, a server, a gateway, a node, any appropriate entity, or anyappropriate combination thereof. In an example embodiment, the system130 may comprise the GPS combine and distribute system 12, the GPScombine and distribute system 50, or any appropriate combinationthereof. It is emphasized that the block diagram depicted in FIG. 9 isexemplary and not intended to imply a specific implementation orconfiguration. Thus, the system 130 may be implemented in a singleprocessor or multiple processors (e.g., single server or multipleservers, single gateway or multiple gateways, single system or multiplesystems, etc.). Multiple systems may be distributed or centrallylocated. Multiple systems may communicate wirelessly, via hard wire, ora combination thereof.

In an example embodiment, the system 130 comprises a processor andmemory coupled to the processor. The memory may comprise executableinstructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor toeffectuate operations associated with enhanced location based services.As evident from the herein description, a system or any portion thereofis not to be construed as software per se.

In an example embodiment, the system 130 comprises a processor andmemory coupled to the processor. The memory may comprise executableinstructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor toeffectuate operations associated with enhanced location based services.

In an example configuration, the system 130 comprises a processingportion 132, a memory portion 134, and an input/output portion 136. Theprocessing portion 132, memory portion 134, and input/output portion 136are coupled together (coupling not shown in FIG. 9) to allowcommunications therebetween. The input/output portion 136 may be capableof receiving and/or providing information from/to a communicationsdevice and/or other network entities configured to be utilized withenhanced location based services. For example, the input/output portion136 may include a wireless communications (e.g., 2.5G/3G/4G/GPS) card.The input/output portion 136 may be capable of receiving and/or sendingvideo information, audio information, control information, imageinformation, data, or any combination thereof. In an example embodiment,the input/output portion 36 may be capable of receiving and/or sendinginformation to determine a location of the system 130 and/or thecommunications device 30. In an example configuration, the input\outputportion 136 may comprise and/or be coupled to a GPS receiver. In anexample configuration, the system 130 may determine its own geographicallocation and/or the geographical location of a communications devicethrough any type of location determination system including, forexample, the Global Positioning System (GPS), assisted GPS (A-GPS), timedifference of arrival calculations, configured constant location (in thecase of non-moving devices), any combination thereof, or any otherappropriate means. In various configurations, the input/output portion136 may receive and/or provide information via any appropriate means,such as, for example, optical means (e.g., infrared), electromagneticmeans (e.g., RF, WI-FI, BLUETOOTH, ZIGBEE, etc.), acoustic means (e.g.,speaker, microphone, ultrasonic receiver, ultrasonic transmitter), or acombination thereof. In an example configuration, the input/outputportion may comprise a WIFI finder, a two way GPS chipset or equivalent,or the like, or a combination thereof.

The processing portion 132 may be capable of performing functionsassociated with enhanced location based services as described herein.That is, a communications device (e.g., communications device 120) mayperform functions internally (by the device) and/or utilize the system130 to perform functions. For example, the processing portion 132 may becapable of, in conjunction with any other portion of the system 130,installing an application for enhanced location based services,processing an application for enhanced location based services,configuring the system 130 to function as a gateway for other devices toa network, determining the location at which to provide enhancedlocation based services, or the like, or any combination thereof. Theprocessing portion 132, in conjunction with any other portion of thesystem 130, enables the system 130 to covert speech to text when it isconfigured to enhance location based services.

In a basic configuration, the system 130 may include at least one memoryportion 134. The memory portion 134 may comprise a storage medium havinga tangible physical structure. Thus, the memory portion 134, as well asany computer-readable storage medium described herein, is not to beconstrued as a transient signal per se. The memory portion 134, as wellas any computer-readable storage medium described herein, is not to beconstrued as a propagating signal per se. The memory portion 134 maystore any information utilized in conjunction with enhanced locationbased services as described herein. Depending upon the exactconfiguration and type of processor, the memory portion 134 may bevolatile 138 (such as some types of RAM), non-volatile 140 (such as ROM,flash memory, etc.), or a combination thereof. The system 130 mayinclude additional storage (e.g., removable storage 142 and/ornon-removable storage 144) including, but not limited to, tape, flashmemory, smart cards, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or otheroptical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, universal serial bus (USB)compatible memory, or any other medium which can be used to storeinformation and which can be accessed by the system 130.

The system 130 also may contain communications connection(s) 150 thatallow the system 130 to communicate with other devices, systems, or thelike. A communications connection(s) can comprise communication media.Communication media typically embody computer readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includesany information delivery media. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media include wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,infrared, and other wireless media. The term computer readable media asused herein includes both storage media and communication media. Thesystem 130 also can include input device(s) 146 such as keyboard, mouse,pen, voice input device, touch input device, etc. Output device(s) 148such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. also can be included.

Enhanced location based service may be implemented in conjunction withvarious wireless communications networks. Some of which are describedbelow.

FIG. 10 depicts an overall block diagram of an example packet-basedmobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, withinwhich enhanced location based services may be implemented. In theexample packet-based mobile cellular network environment shown in FIG.10, there are a plurality of Base Station Subsystems (“BSS”) 800 (onlyone is shown), each of which comprises a Base Station Controller (“BSC”)802 serving a plurality of Base Transceiver Stations (“BTS”) such asBTSs 804, 806, and 808. BTSs 804, 806, 808, etc. are the access pointswhere users of packet-based mobile devices become connected to thewireless network. In example fashion, the packet traffic originatingfrom user devices is transported via an over-the-air interface to a BTS808, and from the BTS 808 to the BSC 802. Base station subsystems, suchas BSS 800, are a part of internal frame relay network 810 that caninclude Service GPRS Support Nodes (“SGSN”) such as SGSN 812 and 814.Each SGSN is connected to an internal packet network 820 through which aSGSN 812, 814, etc. can route data packets to and from a plurality ofgateway GPRS support nodes (GGSN) 822, 824, 826, etc. As illustrated,SGSN 814 and GGSNs 822, 824, and 826 are part of internal packet network820. Gateway GPRS serving nodes 822, 824 and 826 mainly provide aninterface to external Internet Protocol (“IP”) networks such as PublicLand Mobile Network (“PLMN”) 850, corporate intranets 840, or Fixed-EndSystem (“FES”) or the public Internet 830. As illustrated, subscribercorporate network 840 may be connected to GGSN 824 via firewall 832; andPLMN 850 is connected to GGSN 824 via boarder gateway router 834. TheRemote Authentication Dial-In User Service (“RADIUS”) server 842 may beused for caller authentication when a user of a mobile cellular devicecalls corporate network 840.

Generally, there can be a several cell sizes in a GSM network, referredto as macro, micro, pico, femto and umbrella cells. The coverage area ofeach cell is different in different environments. Macro cells can beregarded as cells in which the base station antenna is installed in amast or a building above average roof top level. Micro cells are cellswhose antenna height is under average roof top level. Micro-cells aretypically used in urban areas. Pico cells are small cells having adiameter of a few dozen meters. Pico cells are used mainly indoors.Femto cells have the same size as pico cells, but a smaller transportcapacity. Femto cells are used indoors, in residential, or smallbusiness environments. On the other hand, umbrella cells are used tocover shadowed regions of smaller cells and fill in gaps in coveragebetween those cells.

FIG. 11 illustrates an architecture of a typical GPRS network withinwhich text message generation for emergency services can be implemented.The architecture depicted in FIG. 11 is segmented into four groups:users 950, radio access network 960, core network 970, and interconnectnetwork 980. Users 950 comprise a plurality of end users. Note, device912 is referred to as a mobile subscriber in the description of networkshown in FIG. 11. In an example embodiment, the device depicted asmobile subscriber 912 comprises a communications device (e.g.,communications device 160). Radio access network 960 comprises aplurality of base station subsystems such as BSSs 962, which includeBTSs 964 and BSCs 966. Core network 970 comprises a host of variousnetwork elements. As illustrated in FIG. 11, core network 970 maycomprise Mobile Switching Center (“MSC”) 971, Service Control Point(“SCP”) 972, gateway MSC 973, SGSN 976, Home Location Register (“HLR”)974, Authentication Center (“AuC”) 975, Domain Name Server (“DNS”) 977,and GGSN 978. Interconnect network 980 also comprises a host of variousnetworks and other network elements. As illustrated in FIG. 11,interconnect network 980 comprises Public Switched Telephone Network(“PSTN”) 982, Fixed-End System (“FES”) or Internet 984, firewall 988,and Corporate Network 989.

A mobile switching center can be connected to a large number of basestation controllers. At MSC 971, for instance, depending on the type oftraffic, the traffic may be separated in that voice may be sent toPublic Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”) 982 through Gateway MSC(“GMSC”) 973, and/or data may be sent to SGSN 976, which then sends thedata traffic to GGSN 978 for further forwarding.

When MSC 971 receives call traffic, for example, from BSC 966, it sendsa query to a database hosted by SCP 972. The SCP 972 processes therequest and issues a response to MSC 971 so that it may continue callprocessing as appropriate.

The HLR 974 is a centralized database for users to register to the GPRSnetwork. HLR 974 stores static information about the subscribers such asthe International Mobile Subscriber Identity (“IMSI”), subscribedservices, and a key for authenticating the subscriber. HLR 974 alsostores dynamic subscriber information such as the current location ofthe mobile subscriber. Associated with HLR 974 is AuC 975. AuC 975 is adatabase that contains the algorithms for authenticating subscribers andincludes the associated keys for encryption to safeguard the user inputfor authentication.

In the following, depending on context, the term “mobile subscriber”sometimes refers to the end user and sometimes to the actual portabledevice, such as a mobile device, used by an end user of the mobilecellular service. When a mobile subscriber turns on his or her mobiledevice, the mobile device goes through an attach process by which themobile device attaches to an SGSN of the GPRS network. In FIG. 11, whenmobile subscriber 912 initiates the attach process by turning on thenetwork capabilities of the mobile device, an attach request is sent bymobile subscriber 912 to SGSN 976. The SGSN 976 queries another SGSN, towhich mobile subscriber 912 was attached before, for the identity ofmobile subscriber 912. Upon receiving the identity of mobile subscriber912 from the other SGSN, SGSN 976 requests more information from mobilesubscriber 912. This information is used to authenticate mobilesubscriber 912 to SGSN 976 by HLR 974. Once verified, SGSN 976 sends alocation update to HLR 974 indicating the change of location to a newSGSN, in this case SGSN 976. HLR 974 notifies the old SGSN, to whichmobile subscriber 912 was attached before, to cancel the locationprocess for mobile subscriber 912. HLR 974 then notifies SGSN 976 thatthe location update has been performed. At this time, SGSN 976 sends anAttach Accept message to mobile subscriber 912, which in turn sends anAttach Complete message to SGSN 976.

After attaching itself with the network, mobile subscriber 912 then goesthrough the authentication process. In the authentication process, SGSN976 sends the authentication information to HLR 974, which sendsinformation back to SGSN 976 based on the user profile that was part ofthe user's initial setup. The SGSN 976 then sends a request forauthentication and ciphering to mobile subscriber 912. The mobilesubscriber 912 uses an algorithm to send the user identification (ID)and password to SGSN 976. The SGSN 976 uses the same algorithm andcompares the result. If a match occurs, SGSN 976 authenticates mobilesubscriber 912.

Next, the mobile subscriber 912 establishes a user session with thedestination network, corporate network 989, by going through a PacketData Protocol (“PDP”) activation process. Briefly, in the process,mobile subscriber 912 requests access to the Access Point Name (“APN”),for example, UPS.com, and SGSN 976 receives the activation request frommobile subscriber 912. SGSN 976 then initiates a Domain Name Service(“DNS”) query to learn which GGSN node has access to the UPS.com APN.The DNS query is sent to the DNS server within the core network 970,such as DNS 977, which is provisioned to map to one or more GGSN nodesin the core network 970. Based on the APN, the mapped GGSN 978 canaccess the requested corporate network 989. The SGSN 976 then sends toGGSN 978 a Create Packet Data Protocol (“PDP”) Context Request messagethat contains necessary information. The GGSN 978 sends a Create PDPContext Response message to SGSN 976, which then sends an Activate PDPContext Accept message to mobile subscriber 912.

Once activated, data packets of the call made by mobile subscriber 912can then go through radio access network 960, core network 970, andinterconnect network 980, in a particular fixed-end system or Internet984 and firewall 988, to reach corporate network 989.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example block diagram view of a GSM/GPRS/IPmultimedia network architecture within which text message generation foremergency services may be implemented. As illustrated, the architectureof FIG. 12 includes a GSM core network 1001, a GPRS network 1030 and anIP multimedia network 1038. The GSM core network 1001 includes a MobileStation (MS) 1002, at least one Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 1004 anda Base Station Controller (BSC) 1006. The MS 1002 is physical equipmentor Mobile Equipment (ME), such as a mobile phone or a laptop computerthat is used by mobile subscribers, with a Subscriber identity Module(SIM) or a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). The SIM or UICCincludes an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), which is aunique identifier of a subscriber. The BTS 1004 is physical equipment,such as a radio tower, that enables a radio interface to communicatewith the MS. Each BTS may serve more than one MS. The BSC 1006 managesradio resources, including the BTS. The BSC may be connected to severalBTSs. The BSC and BTS components, in combination, are generally referredto as a base station (BSS) or radio access network (RAN) 1003.

The GSM core network 1001 also includes a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)1008, a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) 1010, a Home LocationRegister (HLR) 1012, Visitor Location Register (VLR) 1014, anAuthentication Center (AuC) 1018, and an Equipment Identity Register(EIR) 1016. The MSC 1008 performs a switching function for the network.The MSC also performs other functions, such as registration,authentication, location updating, handovers, and call routing. The GMSC1010 provides a gateway between the GSM network and other networks, suchas an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or Public SwitchedTelephone Networks (PSTNs) 1020. Thus, the GMSC 1010 providesinterworking functionality with external networks.

The HLR 1012 is a database that contains administrative informationregarding each subscriber registered in a corresponding GSM network. TheHLR 1012 also contains the current location of each MS. The VLR 1014 isa database that contains selected administrative information from theHLR 1012. The VLR contains information necessary for call control andprovision of subscribed services for each MS currently located in ageographical area controlled by the VLR. The HLR 1012 and the VLR 1014,together with the MSC 1008, provide the call routing and roamingcapabilities of GSM. The AuC 1016 provides the parameters needed forauthentication and encryption functions. Such parameters allowverification of a subscriber's identity. The EIR 1018 storessecurity-sensitive information about the mobile equipment.

A Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 1009 allows one-to-one ShortMessage Service (SMS) messages to be sent to/from the MS 1002. A PushProxy Gateway (PPG) 1011 is used to “push” (i.e., send without asynchronous request) content to the MS 1002. The PPG 1011 acts as aproxy between wired and wireless networks to facilitate pushing of datato the MS 1002. A Short Message Peer to Peer (SMPP) protocol router 1013is provided to convert SMS-based SMPP messages to cell broadcastmessages. SMPP is a protocol for exchanging SMS messages between SMSpeer entities such as short message service centers. The SMPP protocolis often used to allow third parties, e.g., content suppliers such asnews organizations, to submit bulk messages.

To gain access to GSM services, such as speech, data, and short messageservice (SMS), the MS first registers with the network to indicate itscurrent location by performing a location update and IMSI attachprocedure. The MS 1002 sends a location update including its currentlocation information to the MSC/VLR, via the BTS 1004 and the BSC 1006.The location information is then sent to the MS's HLR. The HLR isupdated with the location information received from the MSC/VLR. Thelocation update also is performed when the MS moves to a new locationarea. Typically, the location update is periodically performed to updatethe database as location updating events occur.

The GPRS network 1030 is logically implemented on the GSM core networkarchitecture by introducing two packet-switching network nodes, aserving GPRS support node (SGSN) 1032, a cell broadcast and a GatewayGPRS support node (GGSN) 1034. The SGSN 1032 is at the same hierarchicallevel as the MSC 1008 in the GSM network. The SGSN controls theconnection between the GPRS network and the MS 1002. The SGSN also keepstrack of individual MS's locations and security functions and accesscontrols.

A Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) 14 communicates cell broadcast messagesthat are typically delivered to multiple users in a specified area. CellBroadcast is one-to-many geographically focused service. It enablesmessages to be communicated to multiple mobile phone customers who arelocated within a given part of its network coverage area at the time themessage is broadcast.

The GGSN 1034 provides a gateway between the GPRS network and a publicpacket network (PDN) or other IP networks 1036. That is, the GGSNprovides interworking functionality with external networks, and sets upa logical link to the MS through the SGSN. When packet-switched dataleaves the GPRS network, it is transferred to an external TCP-IP network1036, such as an X.25 network or the Internet. In order to access GPRSservices, the MS first attaches itself to the GPRS network by performingan attach procedure. The MS then activates a packet data protocol (PDP)context, thus activating a packet communication session between the MS,the SGSN, and the GGSN.

In a GSM/GPRS network, GPRS services and GSM services can be used inparallel. The MS can operate in one of three classes: class A, class B,and class C. A class A MS can attach to the network for both GPRSservices and GSM services simultaneously. A class A MS also supportssimultaneous operation of GPRS services and GSM services. For example,class A mobiles can receive GSM voice/data/SMS calls and GPRS data callsat the same time.

A class B MS can attach to the network for both GPRS services and GSMservices simultaneously. However, a class B MS does not supportsimultaneous operation of the GPRS services and GSM services. That is, aclass B MS can only use one of the two services at a given time.

A class C MS can attach for only one of the GPRS services and GSMservices at a time. Simultaneous attachment and operation of GPRSservices and GSM services is not possible with a class C MS.

A GPRS network 1030 can be designed to operate in three networkoperation modes (NOM1, NOM2 and NOM3). A network operation mode of aGPRS network is indicated by a parameter in system information messagestransmitted within a cell. The system information messages dictates a MSwhere to listen for paging messages and how to signal towards thenetwork. The network operation mode represents the capabilities of theGPRS network. In a NOM1 network, a MS can receive pages from a circuitswitched domain (voice call) when engaged in a data call. The MS cansuspend the data call or take both simultaneously, depending on theability of the MS. In a NOM2 network, a MS may not receive pages from acircuit switched domain when engaged in a data call, since the MS isreceiving data and is not listening to a paging channel. In a NOM3network, a MS can monitor pages for a circuit switched network whilereceived data and vice versa.

The IP multimedia network 1038 was introduced with 3GPP Release 5, andincludes an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) 1040 to provide richmultimedia services to end users. A representative set of the networkentities within the IMS 1040 are a call/session control function (CSCF),a media gateway control function (MGCF) 1046, a media gateway (MGW)1048, and a master subscriber database, called a home subscriber server(HSS) 1050. The HSS 1050 may be common to the GSM network 1001, the GPRSnetwork 1030 as well as the IP multimedia network 1038.

The IP multimedia system 1040 is built around the call/session controlfunction, of which there are three types: an interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF)1043, a proxy CSCF (P-CSCF) 1042, and a serving CSCF (S-CSCF) 1044. TheP-CSCF 1042 is the MS's first point of contact with the IMS 1040. TheP-CSCF 1042 forwards session initiation protocol (SIP) messages receivedfrom the MS to an SIP server in a home network (and vice versa) of theMS. The P-CSCF 1042 may also modify an outgoing request according to aset of rules defined by the network operator (for example, addressanalysis and potential modification).

The I-CSCF 1043, forms an entrance to a home network and hides the innertopology of the home network from other networks and providesflexibility for selecting an S-CSCF. The I-CSCF 1043 may contact asubscriber location function (SLF) 1045 to determine which HSS 1050 touse for the particular subscriber, if multiple HSS's 1050 are present.The S-CSCF 1044 performs the session control services for the MS 1002.This includes routing originating sessions to external networks androuting terminating sessions to visited networks. The S-CSCF 1044 alsodecides whether an application server (AS) 1052 is required to receiveinformation on an incoming SIP session request to ensure appropriateservice handling. This decision is based on information received fromthe HSS 1050 (or other sources, such as an application server 1052). TheAS 1052 also communicates to a location server 1056 (e.g., a GatewayMobile Location Center (GMLC)) that provides a position (e.g.,latitude/longitude coordinates) of the MS 1002.

The HSS 1050 contains a subscriber profile and keeps track of which corenetwork node is currently handling the subscriber. It also supportssubscriber authentication and authorization functions (AAA). In networkswith more than one HSS 1050, a subscriber location function providesinformation on the HSS 1050 that contains the profile of a givensubscriber.

The MGCF 1046 provides interworking functionality between SIP sessioncontrol signaling from the IMS 1040 and ISUP/BICC call control signalingfrom the external GSTN networks (not shown). It also controls the mediagateway (MGW) 1048 that provides user-plane interworking functionality(e.g., converting between AMR- and PCM-coded voice). The MGW 1048 alsocommunicates with other IP multimedia networks 1054.

Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC) capable mobile phones register with thewireless network when the phones are in a predefined area (e.g., jobsite, etc.). When the mobile phones leave the area, they register withthe network in their new location as being outside the predefined area.This registration, however, does not indicate the actual physicallocation of the mobile phones outside the pre-defined area.

FIG. 13 illustrates a PLMN block diagram view of an example architecturein which text message generation for emergency services may beincorporated. Mobile Station (MS) 1401 is the physical equipment used bythe PLMN subscriber. In one illustrative embodiment, communicationsdevice 200 may serve as Mobile Station 1401. Mobile Station 1401 may beone of, but not limited to, a cellular telephone, a cellular telephonein combination with another electronic device or any other wirelessmobile communication device.

Mobile Station 1401 may communicate wirelessly with Base Station System(BSS) 1410. BSS 1410 contains a Base Station Controller (BSC) 1411 and aBase Transceiver Station (BTS) 1412. BSS 1410 may include a single BSC1411/BTS 1412 pair (Base Station) or a system of BSC/BTS pairs which arepart of a larger network. BSS 1410 is responsible for communicating withMobile Station 1401 and may support one or more cells. BSS 1410 isresponsible for handling cellular traffic and signaling between MobileStation 1401 and Core Network 1440. Typically, BSS 1410 performsfunctions that include, but are not limited to, digital conversion ofspeech channels, allocation of channels to mobile devices, paging, andtransmission/reception of cellular signals.

Additionally, Mobile Station 1401 may communicate wirelessly with RadioNetwork System (RNS) 1420. RNS 1420 contains a Radio Network Controller(RNC) 1421 and one or more Node(s) B 1422. RNS 1420 may support one ormore cells. RNS 1420 may also include one or more RNC 1421/Node B 1422pairs or alternatively a single RNC 1421 may manage multiple Nodes B1422. RNS 1420 is responsible for communicating with Mobile Station 1401in its geographically defined area. RNC 1421 is responsible forcontrolling the Node(s) B 1422 that are connected to it and is a controlelement in a UMTS radio access network. RNC 1421 performs functions suchas, but not limited to, load control, packet scheduling, handovercontrol, security functions, as well as controlling Mobile Station1401's access to the Core Network (CN) 1440.

The evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) 1430 is aradio access network that provides wireless data communications forMobile Station 1401 and User Equipment 1402. E-UTRAN 1430 provideshigher data rates than traditional UMTS. It is part of the Long TermEvolution (LTE) upgrade for mobile networks and later releases meet therequirements of the International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)Advanced and are commonly known as a 4G networks. E-UTRAN 1430 mayinclude of series of logical network components such as E-UTRAN Node B(eNB) 1431 and E-UTRAN Node B (eNB) 1432. E-UTRAN 1430 may contain oneor more eNBs. User Equipment 1402 may be any user device capable ofconnecting to E-UTRAN 1430 including, but not limited to, a personalcomputer, laptop, mobile device, wireless router, or other devicecapable of wireless connectivity to E-UTRAN 1430. The improvedperformance of the E-UTRAN 1430 relative to a typical UMTS networkallows for increased bandwidth, spectral efficiency, and functionalityincluding, but not limited to, voice, high-speed applications, largedata transfer and IPTV, while still allowing for full mobility.

An example embodiment of a mobile data and communication service thatmay be implemented in the PLMN architecture described in FIG. 13 is theEnhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE). EDGE is an enhancement forGPRS networks that implements an improved signal modulation scheme knownas 8-PSK (Phase Shift Keying). By increasing network utilization, EDGEmay achieve up to three times faster data rates as compared to a typicalGPRS network. EDGE may be implemented on any GSM network capable ofhosting a GPRS network, making it an ideal upgrade over GPRS since itmay provide increased functionality of existing network resources.Evolved EDGE networks are becoming standardized in later releases of theradio telecommunication standards, which provide for even greaterefficiency and peak data rates of up to 1 Mbit/s, while still allowingimplementation on existing GPRS-capable network infrastructure.

Typically Mobile Station 1401 may communicate with any or all of BSS1410, RNS 1420, or E-UTRAN 1430. In a illustrative system, each of BSS1410, RNS 1420, and E-UTRAN 1430 may provide Mobile Station 1401 withaccess to Core Network 1440. The Core Network 1440 may include of aseries of devices that route data and communications between end users.Core Network 1440 may provide network service functions to users in theCircuit Switched (CS) domain, the Packet Switched (PS) domain or both.The CS domain refers to connections in which dedicated network resourcesare allocated at the time of connection establishment and then releasedwhen the connection is terminated. The PS domain refers tocommunications and data transfers that make use of autonomous groupingsof bits called packets. Each packet may be routed, manipulated,processed or handled independently of all other packets in the PS domainand does not require dedicated network resources.

The Circuit Switched-Media Gateway Function (CS-MGW) 1441 is part ofCore Network 1440, and interacts with Visitor Location Register (VLR)and Mobile-Services Switching Center (MSC) Server 1460 and Gateway MSCServer 1461 in order to facilitate Core Network 1440 resource control inthe CS domain. Functions of CS-MGW 1441 include, but are not limited to,media conversion, bearer control, payload processing and other mobilenetwork processing such as handover or anchoring. CS-MGW 1440 mayreceive connections to Mobile Station 1401 through BSS 1410, RNS 1420 orboth.

Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 1442 stores subscriber data regardingMobile Station 1401 in order to facilitate network functionality. SGSN1442 may store subscription information such as, but not limited to, theInternational Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), temporary identities,or Packet Data Protocol (PDP) addresses. SGSN 1442 may also storelocation information such as, but not limited to, the Gateway GPRSSupport Node (GGSN) 1444 address for each GGSN where an active PDPexists. GGSN 1444 may implement a location register function to storesubscriber data it receives from SGSN 1442 such as subscription orlocation information.

Serving Gateway (S-GW) 1443 is an interface which provides connectivitybetween E-UTRAN 1430 and Core Network 1440. Functions of S-GW 1443include, but are not limited to, packet routing, packet forwarding,transport level packet processing, event reporting to Policy andCharging Rules Function (PCRF) 1450, and mobility anchoring forinter-network mobility. PCRF 1450 uses information gathered from S-GW1443, as well as other sources, to make applicable policy and chargingdecisions related to data flows, network resources and other networkadministration functions. Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN-GW) 1445 mayprovide user-to-services connectivity functionality including, but notlimited to, network-wide mobility anchoring, bearer session anchoringand control, and IP address allocation for PS domain connections.

Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 1463 is a database for user information,and stores subscription data regarding Mobile Station 1401 or UserEquipment 1402 for handling calls or data sessions. Networks may containone HSS 1463 or more if additional resources are required. Example datastored by HSS 1463 include, but is not limited to, user identification,numbering and addressing information, security information, or locationinformation. HSS 1463 may also provide call or session establishmentprocedures in both the PS and CS domains.

The VLR/MSC Server 1460 provides user location functionality. WhenMobile Station 1401 enters a new network location, it begins aregistration procedure. A MSC Server for that location transfers thelocation information to the VLR for the area. A VLR and MSC Server maybe located in the same computing environment, as is shown by VLR/MSCServer 1460, or alternatively may be located in separate computingenvironments. A VLR may contain, but is not limited to, user informationsuch as the IMSI, the Temporary Mobile Station Identity (TMSI), theLocal Mobile Station Identity (LMSI), the last known location of themobile station, or the SGSN where the mobile station was previouslyregistered. The MSC server may contain information such as, but notlimited to, procedures for Mobile Station 1401 registration orprocedures for handover of Mobile Station 1401 to a different section ofthe Core Network 1440. GMSC Server 1461 may serve as a connection toalternate GMSC Servers for other mobile stations in larger networks.

Equipment Identity Register (EIR) 1462 is a logical element which maystore the International Mobile Equipment Identities (IMEI) for MobileStation 1401. In a typical embodiment, user equipment may be classifiedas either “white listed” or “black listed” depending on its status inthe network. In one embodiment, if Mobile Station 1401 is stolen and putto use by an unauthorized user, it may be registered as “black listed”in EIR 1462, preventing its use on the network. Mobility ManagementEntity (MME) 1464 is a control node which may track Mobile Station 1401or User Equipment 1402 if the devices are idle. Additional functionalitymay include the ability of MME 1464 to contact an idle Mobile Station1401 or User Equipment 1402 if retransmission of a previous session isrequired.

While example embodiments of enhanced location based services have beendescribed in connection with various computing devices/processors, theunderlying concepts may be applied to any computing device, processor,or system capable of implementing enhanced location based services. Thevarious techniques described herein can be implemented in connectionwith hardware or software or, where appropriate, with a combination ofboth. Thus, the methods and apparatuses of using and implementingenhanced location based services may be implemented, or certain aspectsor portions thereof, can take the form of program code (i.e.,instructions) embodied in tangible storage media having a tangiblephysical structure. Examples of tangible storage media include floppydiskettes, CD-ROMs, DVDs, hard drives, or any other tangiblemachine-readable storage medium (computer-readable storage medium).Thus, a computer-readable storage medium is not a transient signal perse. A computer-readable storage medium is not a propagating signal perse. When the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, suchas a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for implementingenhanced location based services. In the case of program code executionon programmable computers, the computing device will generally include aprocessor, a storage medium readable by the processor (includingvolatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least oneinput device, and at least one output device. The program(s) can beimplemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. The languagecan be a compiled or interpreted language, and combined with hardwareimplementations.

The methods and apparatuses for using and implementing enhanced locationbased services also may be practiced via communications embodied in theform of program code that is transmitted over some transmission medium,such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or viaany other form of transmission, wherein, when the program code isreceived and loaded into and executed by a machine, such as an EPROM, agate array, a programmable logic device (PLD), a client computer, or thelike, the machine becomes an apparatus for implementing enhancedlocation based services. When implemented on a general-purposeprocessor, the program code combines with the processor to provide aunique apparatus that operates to invoke the functionality of enhancedlocation based services.

While enhanced location based services have been described in connectionwith the various embodiments of the various figures, it is to beunderstood that other similar embodiments can be used or modificationsand additions can be made to the described embodiments for implementingenhanced location based services without deviating therefrom. Forexample, one skilled in the art will recognize that enhanced locationbased services as described in the present application may apply to anyenvironment, whether wired or wireless, and may be applied to any numberof such devices connected via a communications network and interactingacross the network. Therefore, enhanced location based services shouldnot be limited to any single embodiment, but rather should be construedin breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A method comprising: responsive to receiving anindication of a call, obtaining location information pertaining to alocation of a source of the call; providing a location signal;receiving, from a plurality of transceivers, a respective plurality ofresponses to the provided location signal; determining a time at whicheach response of the plurality of responses was received; determining alocation of each of the plurality of transceivers; determining acalculated location of the source based on the determined time at whicheach response of the plurality of response was received and the locationof each of the plurality of transceivers; augmenting the locationinformation with the calculated location; receiving information to bedistributed via a distributed antenna system; generating combinedinformation by combining the received location information and theinformation to be distributed via the distributed antenna system; andproviding the combined information.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe location information comprising a signal from a global positionsystem satellite.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein: an intendedrecipient of the location information is a mobile device; and anintended recipient of the information to be distributed via thedistributed antenna system is not the mobile device.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: incorporating topographical informationpertaining to an environment proximate to the source into the combinedinformation.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the topographicalinformation comprises a blueprint of the environment.
 6. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the topographical information comprises a location of aglobal positioning antenna from which the location information was sent.7. The method of claim 4, wherein the topographical informationcomprises a map.
 8. A method comprising: receiving location informationpertaining to a location of a device; providing a location signal;receiving, from a plurality of transceivers, a respective plurality ofresponses to the provided location signal; determining a time at whicheach response of the plurality of responses was received; determining alocation of each of the plurality of transceivers; determining acalculated location of the device based on the determined time at whicheach response of the plurality of response was received and the locationof each of the plurality of transceivers; augmenting the locationinformation with the calculated location; receiving topographicalinformation pertaining to an environment proximate to the device;combining the location information with the topographical information;and rendering an indication of the combined information.
 9. The methodof claim 8, wherein the location information comprising a signal from aglobal position system satellite.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein thetopographical information comprises a blueprint of the environment. 11.The method of claim 8, wherein the topographical information comprises alocation of a global positioning antenna from which the locationinformation was sent.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein: the indicationof the combined information is rendered visually as an overlay of avisual representation of the topographical information.
 13. The methodof claim 8, wherein the topographical information comprises a map.
 14. Acomputer-readable storage medium comprising executable instructions thatwhen executed by a processor cause the processor to effectuate operationcomprising: receiving location information pertaining to a location of adevice; providing a location signal; receiving, from a plurality oftransceivers, a respective plurality of responses to the providedlocation signal; determining a time at which each response of theplurality of responses was received; determining a location of each ofthe plurality of transceivers; determining a calculated location of thedevice based on the determined time at which each response of theplurality of responses was received and the location of each of theplurality of transceivers; augmenting the location information with thecalculated location; receiving topographical information pertaining toan environment proximate to the device; combining the locationinformation with the topographical information; and rendering anindication of the combined information.
 15. The computer-readablestorage medium of claim 14, wherein the location information comprisinga signal from a global position system satellite.
 16. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the topographicalinformation comprises a blueprint of the environment.
 17. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the topographicalinformation comprises a location of a global positioning antenna fromwhich the location information was sent.
 18. The computer-readablestorage medium of claim 14, wherein: the indication of the combinedinformation is rendered visually as an overlay of a visualrepresentation of the topographical information.
 19. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein: the topographicalinformation comprises a map.
 20. The computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 14, wherein: an intended recipient of the location information isa mobile device; and an intended recipient of the information to bedistributed via the distributed antenna system is not the mobile device.